Esther 9 7

Esther 9:7 kjv

And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

Esther 9:7 nkjv

Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esther 9:7 niv

They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esther 9:7 esv

and also killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha

Esther 9:7 nlt

They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 7 Meaning

Esther 9:7 initiates the precise enumeration of Haman's ten sons, listing Parshandatha, Dalphon, and Aspatha. This verse records the first three specific individuals among the ten immediate male heirs of Haman who were executed in Shushan the citadel. Their individual naming emphasizes the thoroughness of the judgment upon Haman's household and the complete reversal of fortunes, from the plotting of genocide to the destruction of the plotters themselves.

Esther 9 7 Context

Esther chapter 9 describes the two days of defensive action by the Jews against those who sought to destroy them, following the issuance of the king's counter-decree. Having secured permission to defend themselves, the Jews in Susa slew 500 men on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar). When Queen Esther informed King Ahasuerus of this, she requested that the Jews in Susa be allowed to continue their defense for a second day and that Haman's ten sons, already dead, be publicly displayed on the gallows. This verse (Esther 9:7) begins the detailed list of these ten sons, whose deaths signified the total defeat and humiliation of Haman's house in the capital city. Their individual naming is a meticulous record of the completed judgment, laying the foundation for the celebration of Purim as a permanent remembrance of this deliverance.

Historically, in ancient Near Eastern societies, the extermination of an enemy's household, especially one guilty of treason or grievous crimes against the state, was not uncommon. Such actions aimed to prevent any future resurgence of that line and to utterly disgrace the memory of the original offender. The naming of the sons, uniquely presented as an integral part of the narrative and later recited during Purim, would have affirmed for the original Jewish audience the complete and irreversible victory over their formidable adversary and the remarkable deliverance brought by divine providence, even though God's name is not explicitly mentioned.

Esther 9 7 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve-): This is the common Hebrew conjunctive particle, meaning "and." Here, it connects the action of killing to the specific identities of the individuals. It signals a direct continuation and listing, introducing the details of the immediate outcome in Susa.
• Parshandatha (פַּרְשַׁנְדָּתָא, Parshandāthā): This is the first of Haman's ten sons listed. It is a Persian name. The exact meaning is debated among scholars but possibly relates to "given by prayer," "given entirely," or "question given." The significant point is not the etymological meaning itself, but its specific inclusion in a named list, indicating individuality and confirming the complete accounting of Haman's direct male lineage. The precision of the name signifies that no son was overlooked or allowed to escape the consequences of his father's actions, as well as their own involvement.
• and Dalphon (וְדַלְפֿוֹן, ve-Dalphon): The second son of Haman mentioned. Also a Persian name, its meaning is uncertain but has been speculatively linked to concepts such as "drop," "thin," "tear," or even "to lament." Like "Parshandatha," the emphasis is on the individual's specific identity as a descendant of Haman. Their being specifically named attests to the factual nature of their demise and underscores the meticulousness of the record, highlighting the divine precision in justice.
• and Aspatha (וְאַסְפַּ֫תָא, ve-Aspathā): The third son named. Another Persian name with uncertain meaning; possible interpretations include "horse-given" or related to gathering or being collected. The repetition of the conjunctive "and" followed by specific names creates a rhythm, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the judgment against Haman's sons. It establishes that the judgment was executed precisely against the intended targets, ensuring the full eradication of the "seed of Amalek" as represented by Haman and his direct male descendants.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,": This grouping of specific names within a list serves a crucial literary and theological purpose. It highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the judgment. Instead of a general statement like "Haman's sons were killed," the text individually names all ten, starting with these first three. This meticulous enumeration validates the historical account and functions as a solemn record. It emphasizes the direct consequences for Haman's lineage, providing irrefutable evidence of the triumph of God's people over their mortal enemies and underscoring the finality of their destruction. This naming also serves as a perpetual memorial during the Purim celebration.

Esther 9 7 Bonus section

• The Significance of Ten: The number ten often symbolizes completeness and totality in the Bible. The execution of precisely ten sons could signify the comprehensive termination of Haman's direct male line, leaving no male heir to perpetuate his malicious intent or carry on his name. This numeric specificity enhances the sense of a complete and utterly finished judgment.
• The Polemic Against Evil Intent: The meticulous naming of Haman's sons serves as a stark counter-narrative to Haman's initial plot. Haman had sought to annihilate a nameless, faceless group (the Jews) by a sweeping decree (Esth 3:6, 13). However, the narrative powerfully reverses this, by individually naming those of Haman's house who perished. This precision highlights that God sees and acts upon individual deeds, and that evil intentions ultimately boomerang on the perpetrators.
• Purim Tradition: The precise listing of the ten sons of Haman became an integral part of the annual Purim reading in synagogues. In some traditions, they are read in a single breath to signify their simultaneous execution or downfall, further cementing their collective defeat. This ensures their defeat is continually remembered and proclaimed.

Esther 9 7 Commentary

Esther 9:7 marks the commencement of a precise listing of Haman’s ten sons who were executed during the Jews' defense in Shushan. The inclusion of their names—Parshandatha, Dalphon, and Aspatha—along with the subsequent seven in the following verses (9:8-9), is deeply significant. This is not merely a record but an affirmation of a profound biblical principle: the utter downfall and eradication of those who set themselves against God's chosen people. Each name represents a direct descendant of the architect of the genocide, Haman the Agagite, linking this event to the ancient divine command regarding Amalek. The specificity of naming indicates that the judgment was thorough and undeniable; no son escaped. Their deaths, and subsequent public display on the gallows, signify the complete humiliation of Haman's house, a total reversal of the power and status he once wielded. This divine turning of the tables serves as a powerful reminder of God's hidden but active providence in protecting His covenant people and bringing justice to the wicked, often causing them to fall into the very pits they dug for others.